This study was conducted in attempt to characterize the electroneutral transport of Na + across isolated omasmal and ruminal epithelia of sheep after treatment with pH and amiloride. The conventional Ussing chamber technique was used to measure the mucosal to serosal flux (J ms ), the serosal to mucosal flux (J sm ), the net flux (J net ), the short circuit current (I sc ), and tissue conductance (G t ) of isolated epithelia. A total of 12 pairs of omasmal and ruminal epithelia were used for each treatment, which categorized as: control group (pH 7.4), low pH group (pH 6.4), amiloride group (pH 7.4) and amiloride + low pH group (pH 6.4). The unidirectional transport values of Na + were significantly (p<0.001) higher in the omasum compared to the rumen. Lowering the pH to 6.4 significantly (p<0.001) enhanced the unidirectional transport of Na + in the omasum accompanied by marked changes in the electrochemical parameters (I sc and G t ); however, the enhancement of the unidirectional flux of Na + in the rumen did not reach the significant level. Application of amiloride in the mucosal side caused a significant (p<0.001) reduction in J ms , J sm and J net of both epithelia. The findings confirmed that Na + transported by means of electroneutral transport systems in the omasum was similar to the system confirmed previously in the rumen. The electroneutral transport of Na + in the omasum is more efficient than the that in the rumen.
This study aimed to evaluate fat content and fatty acid (FA) composition of desert sheep meat and adipose tissues at retail outlets in Khartoum State, Sudan. A total of 25 carcasses of desert sheep were used in this study. Samples from longissimus thoracic muscle (LT), kidney fat (KF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) were obtained from each carcass for fat extraction using chloroform-methanol method, and FA analysis using CG/ MS technique. The fat contents were 80.76, 75.57, and 4.02% for KF, SF, and LT, respectively. The most abundant FAs were oleic, palmitic, and stearic, which comprised about 81 to 87% of the total FAs. The highest portion of oleic acid was found in LT (29.2%) followed by SF (27.22%), and the lowest portion (22.12%) was found in KF. The portion of palmitic acid was significantly higher in KF (30.17%) compared to that in LT (27.03%) or in SF (26.73%). Stearic acid was significantly higher in SF (33.32%) compared to KF (29.2%) and LT (26.74%). The proportions of linoleic acid were 9.35, 4.2, and 1.6% for LT, SF and KF, respectively. The proportion of α-linolenic was significantly higher in LT (0.7%) than in SF (0.5%).The LT muscle had the highest level desirable FAs (67.36%), followed by SF (65.74%), whereas the KF had the lowest level (55.83%) of desirable FAs.
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of sorghum grains by cane molasses on broiler performance and to compare the performance of male broiler chicks with unsexed one. A factorial (2 × 3) arrangement was used in a completely randomized design to study the effect of two sexing pattern (male and unsexed chicks) and three dietary levels of molasses (0, 10 and 24%) on broiler performance. A total of six treatments were employed and each treatment was replicated three times with six birds each. The experiment lasted for 42 days; the feed consumption, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. Carcass weight, weight of internal organs and carcass cuts were measured. Blood samples were collected for determination of cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein (TP) and potassium. The results revealed that significant improvement (P< 0.05) in feed consumption, body weight gain and FCR as the level of molasses increased. The feed consumed and the weight gain were significantly (P< 0.05) high in birds fed diets incorporated with 24% molasses. Males had better weight gain and feed consumption than unsexed birds while no differences in FCR. The highest value of serum TP and potassium were recorded in birds fed 24% molasses. Sexing had no significant effect (P˃ 0.05) on blood constituents. The weight of carcass, thigh, drumstick and breast were not affected by the experimental treatments. It is concluded that sugar cane molasses could be used as alternative energy source up to 24% in broiler diets without negative impact on performance. The males are advisable to be adopted for commercial broiler production than unsexed one.
This study was conducted in 2010 to assess the current situation of Kuku Dairy Cooperative, looking for possible opportunities to promote the cooperative with a view to the development of a community-based improvement breeding programme. A set of detailed semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 56 cooperative members in one-visit-interviews. The members kept different species of animals, but cattle were the dominant and most important. Almost all cattle were crossbreds (Kenana or Butana with Friesian) with different levels of foreign blood. Seventy three percent of the members were educated and aware of the importance of the collective action in reducing the production costs and enhancing the production conditions. Obtaining services was the main purpose for joining Kuku Dairy Cooperative.However, the members considered ownership of agricultural land (31.7%), milk marketing (21.1%), agricultural inputs (21.1%) and veterinary services (16.3%) to be the primary reasons for joining the cooperative. Recently, the Cooperative’s activities and services were influenced by inadequacy of funds provided by the central government, especially, during the last few decades which witnessed the liberalization of the Sudanese economy and suspension of foreign technical and financial aids by traditional donors. Nearly half of the members (48%) did not participate in electing the executive committee’s members, because they were not satisfied with the governancestructure of the cooperative. Moreover they thought that the committee was monopolized by a group of old members who were elected on the grounds of their status in the community and not on the basis of their dairy farming skillsor commercial insight. The individual farm herd size was quite small (113 ± 53 head), and not conducive for achievement of measurable genetic gain which requires the formation of group breeding schemes, that will require the full participation and long- term commitment of the members. Though almost all the members cultivate fodder, the majority stressed that the expenses for feed, in addition to irrigation fees, market and health care expenses to be the most important limiting factors for dairying. Measures designed to overcome these production constraints can only be implemented if the Kuku Dairy Cooperative becomes more functional. With government support, the members can create their own linkage system, infrastructure of marketing and production support services (e.g. animal breeding, recording system, health care, feed, other inputs and credit facilities).
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been reported in many countries as a cause of human infections acquired in hospitals and in the community as well as a cause of animal infections; however, little is known about it in the Sudan, especially in animals and animal products. This study aimed mainly at investigating MRSA in liver abscesses of sheep, as many Sudanese consume raw livers. Intact liver abscesses were collected from sheep slaughtered in 3 abattoirs in Khartoum State and subjected to bacteriological culture for isolation and further molecular characterization of S. aureus. Out of 100 liver abscesses, only 4 S. aureus isolates were obtained, all of which were resistant to methicillin by the disc diffusion method, but the methicillin resistance gene ( mecA ) was detected in only one of them. When these isolates were tested with primers for the mecA gene novel analogue ( mecC ), 3 of them were positive, including the mecA positive one. PCR for amplification of haemolysin (hlg), Panton-Valentine lecukocidin (pvl) and toxic shock syndrome toxin (tsst) genes showed that one mecC - positive isolate was also positive for pvl, but neither hlg nor tss t was detected in any of these isolates. The results of this study are of public health importance because of the potential zoonotic transmission of mecC - positive S . aureus strains. Furthermore, this is the first report of mecC- positive MRSA strains in the Sudan.
This research was conducted to contribute to establishing base line data for the phenotypic characterization of Watish sheep and their production system for future conservation and improvements efforts. A semi-structured questionnaire, field observations and linear body measurements were used to gather information from 59 Watish sheep owners in 7 villages. Body measurements were collected on 156 individuals and the data were classified according to sex and age. Gathered data were summarized and analyzed mainly in the form of descriptive statistics. Watish sheep were found to be produced under a nomadic system (81.4%), a sedentary system (8.5%) or a semi nomadic system (10.2%). Supplementary feeding was adopted by 67.2% of owners and of those, 26.3% fed concentrates supplements. Most owners (81.0%) raised breeding rams from own flock while 17.3% borrowed rams from neighbouring flocks. The main production constraints were water (25.0%), feed (20.6%), disease (19.6%), capital (18.1%), and security (16.7%). The highest mortality rate among all classes of animals, particularly, new born lambs and nursing ewes occurred in dry summer. The overall mean of body length, heart girth, barrel circumference, height at withers and tail length were 63.87±0.48, 81.25±0.66, 93.61±0.87, 76.51±0.42 and 62.37±0.6, respectively. All correlations were positive and significant between different morphometric measurements. No association were observed between the sharing of management by family members (χ 2 = 3.333), breeding system(χ 2 =1.262), concentrate provision(χ 2 =5.276), vaccination (χ 2 =1.280) and record keeping (χ 2 = 0.811) and education level of owners. However, there was a significant association between purpose of rearing sheep (χ 2 =17.524) and disease occurrence (χ 2 =11.058) and level of education of owners. A highly significant association was observed between identification method and education level (χ 2 =18.133). This study highlights the need for greater control of environmental factors in order to improve Watish sheep production.
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding diets with different levels of whole watermelon seeds on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs. Thirty 6-month old lambs of Sudan desert sheep with an average weight of 33.8 Kg were used in this study. They were randomly divided into three groups (n=10) and assigned into three treatment diets with different levels of watermelon seeds (WS) for 52 days. The diets were WS0, WS10, or WS20, which contained 0% (control), 10% and 20% watermelon seeds, respectively. The results showed that final live weight, daily weight gain and total weight gain, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight and chiller shrinkage were higher (P < 0.05) in WS0 and WS20 groups compared to WS10 group. Feed conversion ratio was higher (P < 0.05) in sheep fed WS10 compared to sheep fed WS0. Treatment diets did not affect carcass composition (muscle, fat and bone) and meat chemical composition. However, water-holding capacity and cooking loss were significantly different among the treatment groups, where lambs fed on WS10 had inferior water-holding capacity and higher cooking loss. Treatment diets had no significant effect on meat lightness (L*); but redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values were significantly higher in WS0 group compared to WS10 and WS20 groups. Shear force value was lower (P < 0.05) in WS10 compared to WS0 and WS20. It was concluded that inclusion of whole watermelon seeds up to 20% in lamb diets supported sufficient feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality.
The aim of this study was to profile certain production strategies implemented by small scale private Ice-cream shops in Khartoum state, Sudan from a business perspective. The research relied upon primary data collection via performing a cross-sectional scientific questionnaire targeting senior managers in private Ice cream shops. Sample of the study covered a total of 30 shops stratified based on researches’ study criteria and located in different geographical areas in Khartoum state. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS(ver.11.5) to obtain frequency of distributions. Main results showed that 58.3% of the participants produced soft ice cream; 41.6% of the shops used both fresh milk and powdered milk in production; 54.2% of fresh milk user shops stated they purchased fresh milk directly from farms; 62.7% used both natural and artificial flavors; 45.8% assured vanilla was the most used flavor; 50% of the shops stated they used both biscuit cones and plastic cups in packaging. The study recommended business men to exert more effort when considering production parameters related to this enterprise where scientifically structured business plans are to be performed to balance between inputs and outputs of this industry to reclaim good profit and insure best quality products.
The present study was designed to investigate factors related to fattened sheep that affect the growth of Staphylococcus aureus subsp . anaerobius (Sasa) and enhance its pathogenicity. The pH of sweat, cholesterol levels in sweat and sera of fattened and un-fattened sheep were measured and the effect of sera from fattened sheep on the growth of Sasa was studied. Fattened and un-fattened lambs were subjected to experimental infection using a strain of Sasa. The pH of the sweat of un-fattened group ranged between 5.0 and 6.0, while in fattened group it ranged from 6.2 to 7.6. Serum cholesterol level was significantly higher in fattened group (74.06 ± 5.56 mg/ dl) than in un-fattened group (43.00 ± 6.66 mg/ dl). Serum from fattened sheep promoted the growth of Sasa more than serum from un-fattened sheep. In experimental inoculation of sheep with this bacteria, abscesses developed in parotid lymph nodes and livers of all fattened animals (N = 6) and in 50% (N=3) of un-fattened animals and the size of the abscess positively co-related with the weight of the animal. The study concluded that changes in the blood and skin chemistry of fattened sheep enhance the growth of S . aureus subsp . anaerobius and thus its ability of infection leading to abscess formation.
The objective of the study was to assess the effect of the physiological status (age, late pregnancy and early lactation) on the haematological parameters in female dromedary camels under a semi-intensive system. Twenty-two healthy female camels (Age: 3-16 years) were used. The animals were divided into 4 groups: control group: non-pregnant non-lactating (5 animals, age: 8-16 years), pregnant (5 animals, age: 11-16 years, number of parities: 2-3), lactating (5 animals, age: 11-16 years, number of parities: 2-3) and young females (7 animals, age: 3-5 years). Blood samples were collected once by jugular venepuncture and used for the determination of haematological parameters (total erythrocytes and leukocytes counts: TEC and TLC, haemoglobin: Hb, blood haematocrit: HCT, mean corpuscular volume: MCV, mean corpuscular haemoglobin: MCH and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration: MCHC) using Automated Haematology analyzer. The physiological status had a significant (P≤0.05) effect on TEC, [Hb], neutrophils lymphocytes and monocytes percentage while HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, TLC, eosinophils and basophils percentage were not changed significantly. The TEC decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in young female camels compared to the control, pregnant and lactating camels. Blood-[Hb] increased significantly (P<0.05) during late pregnancy and decreased (P<0.05) in young females compared to the control and early lactation. Neutrophils percentage increased significantly (P<0.05) during early lactation and decreased (P<0.05) during late pregnancy compared to the control and young females. Lymphocytes percentage increased (P˂0.05) during late pregnancy compared to early lactation, whereas monocytes percentage increased (P˂0.05) in young females compared to the control, late pregnancy and early lactation. The physiological status had a negative influence on the haematological parameters in female camels. The data could be utilized to assess the metabolic profile in growing, pregnant and lactating female camels.
The aim of this study was to provide information on the influence of stunning voltage on broiler carcass quality and to investigate the effect of year season (winter, summer and autumn) on the percentage of causes of carcasses condemnation in nine poultry slaughterhouses located in Khartoum state. The data were collected by the Veterinary Inspection Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Rescores and Irrigation, in 2016. The commercial poultry slaughterhouses use different stunning voltages. According to the stunning voltage used the treatments were divided into three groups, Group 1: 25mA, Group 2: 35mA and Group3: 45mA. The influence of electrical stunning voltage on apparent carcasses defects (breast muscle hemorrhage, red wing tips, broken bone, and bleeding) was studied. Also the effect of year season on causes of carcasses condemnation was recorded. Complete randomized design with factorial arrangement was used, each treatment group was replicated 3 times. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed that high stunning voltage at 45 mA significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the breast muscle hemorrhages, red wing tips, bleeding and resulted in a better carcass quality compared to other applied voltages (25mA, and 35mA). The different seasons were found to have significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects on percentage of causes carcasses condemnations. The percentage of carcass condemned with breast muscle hemorrhage and red wing tips were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower in winter compared to summer and autumn. The incidence of condemned carcasses was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) high (0.50%) in summer and autumn (0.45%) while significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower percentage values were recorded in winter (0.13%). The study concluded that carcasses defects were reduced when (45mA) stunning voltage versus 25- 35mA was used and the lowest percentage of carcasses condemned were observed during winter season. The usage of high stunning voltage is recommended for better carcass quality.
This article aims at reviewing the production of veterinary vaccines used in the Sudan to control diseases of livestock and poultry. The paper covers the principals and a procedure employed in the production of live and inactivated viral and bacterial vaccines and specifically describes the production of ten viral vaccines used in Sudan including Rinderpest and Peste des Petite Ruminants (PPR), Rift Valley Fever, Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep Pox, Blue Tongue, Camel Pox, African Horse (AHS), Newcastle Disease, Fowl Pox and Gumboro. It also describes the production of four bacterial vaccines; namely vaccines against Anthrax, Hemorrhagic Septicemia Black Quarter and Brucellosis, as well as vaccines against two Mycoplasma diseases, namely Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia. The paper concludes that, Sudan with its many strong and diversified facilities is qualified for vaccine production, to cover the need for control of all diseases in the OIE list of socioeconomic significance for the country and the region. These facilities include an animal wealth estimated to be 100 million tropical animal units (TAU), and an excellent geostrategic position as far as marketing of animals and animal products are concerned; together with Veterinary services and research institutions established since the turn of the 20 th Century, and research facilities together with available trained an well experienced personnel. Modern and up-to-date research methodology is necessary for development of vaccine production techniques and generation of new and improved veterinary vaccines so that vaccine production laboratory in the Sudan becomes rated as a Regional Research Center and a Reference Laboratory for training of personnel and vaccine production in Africa and Arab countries. However, recent advances in bio-technology and information technology provide enormous promises and opportunities; however, political will, strategic planning adequate funding and proper training of the personnel are needed.
A flock of North Kordofan (NK) Sub-type Sudan Desert Sheep was studied in the previously Animal Production Station at El Huda. Overall average of: 3.6±0.04, 17.2±0.44, 21.7±0.59, and 31.55±1.36 Kg, were obtained, respectively, for live weight at: birth, weaning (16 weeks), six and twelve months of age. Males had heavier weights at birth, 12 months and daily gain to 12 month compared to females. Daily gain to weaning was 122±5.0 vs 119±4.0 gm but non-significantly different for sex effect. Service/conception ratio, gestation length, lambing rate, were 1.00 vs 1.63, 153.1±0.71 vs 151.3±0.45 days, and 48.6 vs 67%, respectively, in the ewe lambs and mature ewes. Litter size differed in the two ewe groups, being bigger in the mature ewes due to the occurrence of multiple births and the increased number of ewes having lambs. The mature ewes had a lambing interval of 339.8±32.08 days. At breeding the young ewes were 313.76±12.56 days old and 48.1±2.82 Kg liveweight and they had their first offsprings when they were 473.12±15.08 days old.
Legionella pneumophila is considered as a causative agent of Legionnaire’s disease, which affects humans causing severe fatal pneumonia, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Legionella species isolates were identified using cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics, before they were confirmed by Real Time PCR test. A total of 38 Legionella species isolated from water reservoirs of evaporative coolers air conditioners, distributed in Khartoum State, were subjected to Real Time PCR which gave 24 (63%), identical species to Legionella pneumophila .
The objective of the study was to evaluate acid-base status and some serum biochemical parameters in male Nubian goat kids as influenced by dietary supplementation with molasses. Twenty clinically healthy male Nubian goat kids (age: 4-6 months; weight 9-11kg) were used. The kids were assigned into 4 groups receiving different levels of molasses: 0% (M-0), 30% (M-30), 40% (M-40) and 45% (M-45) for a period of 5 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein weekly and were used for the determination of blood pH, some serum electrolytes (Na + , K + and Cl - ), serum total protein and albumin. The values of acid-base parameters: strong ion difference (SID 3 ), the concentration of total non-volatile weak acids (A tot-protein and A tot-albumin ) were calculated using the equations:serum-[SID 3 ] = [Na + ] + ([K + ] - [Cl - ], serum-[A tot-protein ]=[Protein](g/dl)´3.6 and serum-[A tot-albumin ]=[Albumin](g/dl)´7.6, respectively. A significant (P<0.01) increase in feed intake and body weight gain was observed in supplemented kids after 3-4 weeks. Serum- [Na + ], [K + ], [Cl - ] and total protein (TP) increased significantly (P≤0.05) in response to dietary supplementation; however, only TP was affected significantly (P≤0.05) by the duration of dietary supplementation with molasses. The initial mean values of blood pH, serum-[SID 3 ], serum-[A tot-protein ] and serum-[A tot-albumin ] were 7.3-7.4,45-54 mmol/l, 21-23 mmol/l and 24-27 mmol/l, respectively. Dietary supplementation with molasses had no significant effect on blood pH except for the group supplemented M-45. Serum- [SID 3 ], [A tot-protein ] and [A tot-albumin ] fluctuated during the experimental period; however, this pattern of response was not statistically significant except for serum-[SID 3 ] in week one. As a conclusion, molasses at a level of 30-40%up to 3 weeks improve growth performance of Nubian goat kids with no significant effect on acid-base and electrolytes status. The duration of dietary supplementation with molasses had a significant impact on acid-base status, electrolytes and serum proteins concentration.
The present study was designed to investigate the sensitivity of tylosin and enrofloxacin against bacteria isolated from mastitic milk collected from Omdurman dairy farms. out of one hundred isolates from mastitic cow milk 70% were Gram +ve, and 30% were Gram -ve bacteria. Among the total of Gram +ve isolates, bacterial examinationshowed57.1% Staphylococcus spp., 25.7% Bacillus spp, 8.6% Streptococcus spp., 5.7% Corynebacterium spp. and 2.9% Actinomyces spp . while Gram –ve bacteria were found to be 86.7% Enterobacter spp., and 4 13.3% E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility tests to Tylosin and Enroflaxcin were performed for the isolated bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis , Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter faecalis were found to be highly sensitive to tylosin and enrofloxacin.
PICO question Is there a decrease of caseous lymphadenitis in vaccinated sheep compared to unvaccinated sheep? Clinical bottom line The evidence provided by the studies used is strong (all have been randomised controlled trials), supporting the hypothesis that sheep vaccinated against caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) are less likely to develop the disease when compared to unvaccinated sheep. Vaccination may be a useful tool in the prevention and control of clinical CLA following a risk assessment.
The objective of this study was to evaluate fat content and fatty acid (FA) composition of goat meat and adipose tissues at retail outlets in Khartoum State. A total of 25 carcasses of goat were involved in this study. Samples from longissimus dorsi muscle (LD), kidney fat (KF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) were obtained from each carcass for fat extraction and FA analysis. The fat contents were 78.21, 73.76 and 3.6% for KF, SF and LD, respectively. The most abundant FA were oleic, palmitic, and stearic. Oleic was higher (P<0.05) in LD (30.04%) than in SF (25.29%) and KF (17.86%). The stearic was greater (P<0.05) in KF (28.04%) compared to SF (27.29%) and LD (25.37%). Palmitic was higher (P<0.05) in KF (29.54%) than in SF (25.32) and LD (20.8%). The linoleic acid and α-linolenic acids were higher (P<0.05) in LD to compared SF and KF. The total desirable FA, which comprise of stearic acid plus total unsaturated FA were greater (P<0.05) in LD (72.05%), followed by SF (60.86%), and the least proportion (50.7%) was found in KF
This investigation was carried out to study the effect of starter culture on the quality of white soft cheese (Gibna Beida), yield and coagulation time. White soft cheese was made from fresh cows milk (heated at 65oC for 30 minutes, then cooled to 35oC), then starter culture was added at different concentrations (1.5, 2.0, 2.5%) in addition to CaCl2 (0.02%), NaCl (2%) and rennet. Chemical analysis, microbial analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out. The coagulation time for cheese made without addition of starter culture (control) was 189 min. and the yield was 9.61%. The obtained results indicated that the use of starter culture at concentration of 2.5% showed reduction in coagulation time to 64 min. and increase in yield to 13.51%. The effect of different concentrations of starter culture on the chemical composition of white soft cheese revealed that the moisture content showed a significant increase from 56.15% to 69.17%, acidity increased from 0.22% to 0.32%, fat content decreased from 27.60% to 21.00%, protein content decreased from 15.00% to 9.40%, total solids decreased from 43.77% to 31.80%. The total bacterial count increased from 2.3 104 to 4.1 106,the yeast count increased from 8.5 104 to 1.7 105. The flavor and overall acceptability were affected by the addition of starter culture. The best flavor and best overall acceptability scores were obtained in cheese made with 1.5% starter culture, while the least score to flavor was obtained in cheese made with 2.5% starter culture
